Former India captain Anjum Chopra suggests that Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh Thakur, and Arundhati Reddy should be key players in India’s pace attack for the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Concerns loom over India’s bowling unit as they prepare to face Pakistan at Edgbaston, with uncertainties surrounding form and selection.
Rookie pacer Nandni Sharma’s selection raises questions due to her limited game time despite a promising debut. While Renuka Singh Thakur showcased swing against England, her performance in the death overs was inconsistent. The recent warm-up matches did little to clarify India’s bowling options, with Arundhati and Kranti showing inconsistent returns.
Anjum emphasizes the importance of selecting the right spin bowlers, including Deepti Sharma, Shreyanka Patil, N Sree Charani, and Radha Yadav. She believes Shreyanka’s inclusion will be crucial for India’s chances of reaching the semifinals in a challenging group. Anjum also highlights the need for players to adapt to English conditions, particularly praising Shreyanka’s potential impact.
Reflecting on the experimentation in recent matches, Anjum supports giving players opportunities in different roles. She notes changes in bowling strategies, such as Arundhati Reddy opening the bowling, to explore various options. Anjum views the matches as a platform for assessing players in unfamiliar roles and providing opportunities beyond their usual positions.
